Principal Advisor Safety, Health and Wellbeing New Zealand Fire Service Position Description Job # Business Area: Location: Reports to: TBC People and Capability Wellington Date: June 2015 Position Context National Safety, Health and Wellbeing Manager The New Zealand Fire Service (NZFS) is a large emergency services organisation with approximately 1,780 career firefighters, 8,100 urban volunteers, 3,500 rural volunteers and 550 support staff, working across 5 regions in more than 450 stations and supporting locations throughout the country. Our vision is leading integrated fire and emergency services for a safer New Zealand. The Fire Service responds to an increasingly wide range of emergency situations and is very focused on safety and prevention within our communities, and across our workforce. The People and Capability Team is responsible for organisational health, organisation development, capability development, leadership development, safety and wellbeing, volunteer support, human resources partnerships, employment relations, payroll and remuneration. People and Capability is responsible for advising the Chief Executive and senior leadership teams on the strategic direction for the organisation concerning Fire Service people and their capability. People and Capability is accountable for ensuring policies, systems and advice reflect current legislation as well as national and international good practice. In addition, our people and support systems need to assist the Fire Service to achieve our vision. The safety, health and wellbeing of paid staff and volunteers is critical to enabling the Fire Service to achieve its goals. The Fire Service is an ACC accredited employer and sets high standards in policies, practices and programmes to reduce the risk of injury and illness for its workforce. Vision, Mission and Values Our Vision: Leading integrated fire and emergency services for a safer New Zealand Te Manatū o ngā ratonga ohotata kia haumaru ake ai a Aotearoa Our Mission: To reduce the incidence and consequences of fire and to provide a professional response to other emergencies. Our Values: Serving our Communities Integrity Adaptability Skill Comradeship Principal Advisor Safety, Health and Wellbeing: Position Description Page 1
Position Purpose The Principal Advisor Safety and Wellbeing s expert knowledge, understanding and experience advances the development and implementation of safety and wellbeing programmes, projects, information, initiatives and policies nationally within the Fire Service. Under the guidance of the National Safety, Health and Wellbeing Manager, and in close collaboration with the Senior Advisor Volunteer Safety and Wellbeing, this role leads and influences the practices and initiatives adopted and implemented by NZFS management. Key Accountabilities The Principal Advisor Safety and Wellbeing is responsible for: Relationship Management Working in partnership with NZFS managers to successfully implement new safety, health and wellbeing programmes, initiatives and policies, resulting in engagement and involvement from managers. Building effective relationships and credibility with operational experts and other subject matter experts within the NZFS to ensure safety, health and wellbeing initiatives are reflective of strategic and operational priorities and are consistently user-centric. Developing effective relationships and credibility with key NZFS stakeholders, particularly the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union, the United Fire Brigades Association, the Public Service Association and the Executive Fire Officers Society. Establishing strong collaborative relationships with the Safety, Health and Wellbeing Team members, the People Safety and Support Team and the wider People and Capability Team, to ensure that the work of safety, health and wellbeing is integrated and co-ordinated, and meets the needs of NZFS managers. Safety, Health and Wellbeing Design and Information Acting as an expert technical adviser in key aspects of safety management and engagement through the provision of good, leading or emerging practice advice and guidance and through knowledge sharing, training and information development for managers, and the wider People and Capability Team Guiding the development and implementation of safety, health and wellbeing programmes, initiatives and policies that actively support and contribute to enhancing national safety, health and wellbeing good practice and compliance. Providing expert safety, health and wellbeing data and information analysis, and commentary for presentation to senior managers, relevant committees and interest groups and the wider organisation, working closely with business analysts within People and Capability and other NZFS teams. Keeping abreast of research and developments in the safety, health and wellbeing environment nationally and internationally to inform good and leading practice within NZFS and the wider fire and emergency services sector. Service Delivery Support and Development Monitoring and reporting on the impact of new initiatives and programmes postimplementation to ensure that desired outcomes are achieved. Managing key projects using effective project management methodologies to ensure they are delivered according to NZFS time, cost, and quality standards. Page 2
Ensuring the development and/or maintenance of reporting frameworks that meet the needs of the organisation and compliance requirements. Providing expert advice and interpretation, based on up to date knowledge and understanding of the health and safety legislation, associated regulations and wider New Zealand context, and based on a growing understanding of the New Zealand Fire Service risk profile. Overseeing and supporting safety, health and wellbeing auditing processes and follow up including the safety management component of the annual ACC Partnership Programme audit. Undertaking other duties consistent with the position as may be directed by the National Safety, Health and Wellbeing Manager. Health, Safety and Wellbeing Responsibilities Ensuring sound knowledge of the Safety, Health And Wellbeing Policy and abiding by and actively promoting its principles Ensuring that a safe and healthy working environment is maintained for colleagues and visitors on site, with particular emphasis on ensuring that all identified hazards are controlled, accidents and near miss incidents are managed, and employees are trained or supervised Actively promoting robust rehabilitation principles aligned to the NZFS commitment and Injury Management Unit processes, and participating in own rehabilitation should an injury be sustained. Page 3
Scope of Job Financial Delegations Expenditure $ (enter if applicable otherwise nil) Capital Assets $ (as above) (Buildings, equipment, systems) Staff Responsibility Direct employees: nil Number of indirect employees: nil Key Relationships Internal: NZFS Managers and Officers Safety, Health and Wellbeing Team Injury and Illness Management Unit Senior Management Team Wider People and Capability Team Relevant NZFS Committees and interest groups External: Employee and volunteer representative stakeholders including: o New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union o United Fire Brigades Association o Public Service Association o Executive Fire Officers Society WorkSafe NZ Comparable roles within other organisations particularly public sector organisations ACC Direct reports: nil Page 4
Qualifications, Attributes and Experience Essential a relevant tertiary qualification and/or significant equivalent experience in a relevant management or senior advisory position extensive expertise and experience across key areas of safety management, approaches and practices, and good experience of health and wellbeing-related management and approaches substantial experience in the design and implementation of a broad range of safety, health and wellbeing programmes focused on enhancing best practice a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a range of varying stakeholder interests, particularly with employee or volunteer representative unions and associations superior knowledge and understanding of the New Zealand health and safety legislation and associated regulations and the components of an effective safety system within a large, multiple-site organisation a proven ability to critically analyse and interpret complex information and make effective, wellreasoned decisions a demonstrated ability in conveying information and ideas clearly and accurately, and in a way that meets the needs of the audience substantial experience managing significant projects and delivering large programmes while ensuring timeframes and standards are met advanced written and oral communication skills a demonstrated "service ethos"; responding efficiently to customer needs and ensuring this approach is delivered within regions, areas and brigades sound experience establishing and maintaining collaborative and effective relationships the ability to promote national consistency and adherence to national procedures and standards Desirable proven experience in managing finances, people and resources significant experience in a broadly focused safety, health and wellbeing role in a large, complex organisation advanced presentation and training skills and experience a sound knowledge and experience of strategic planning and policy development Page 5
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